ECG Morphology Component Rings for Intuitive Data Presentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge in electrocardiography is the efficient presentation and interpretation of ECG data, particularly morphology data, as the number of leads increases, making it less intuitive for clinicians to analyze the cardiac condition effectively.

Innovation Solution

The method involves forming component rings for each morphology feature from multiple ECG leads, representing different planes through the patient, with relative amplitudes and durations graphed, and using a computer-readable medium to extract and display these features, facilitating a graphical user interface for enhanced data presentation and navigation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If more leads of ECG data are added to the analysis, then the detail of patient cardiac condition analysis is improved, but the complexity of data display and interpretation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetail of patient cardiac condition analysisVSAvoidcomplexity of data display
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments ECG data by separating it into distinct morphological features (P wave, QRS complex, ST segment, T wave) and organizing them into component rings. Each ring represents a specific feature across multiple leads, allowing clinicians to analyze detailed cardiac conditions without being overwhelmed by the sheer volume of raw lead data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms traditional two-dimensional ECG waveform displays into a three-dimensional component ring visualization. Morphological features are represented as radial components in circular diagrams, with different leads arranged around the ring. This dimensional transformation allows efficient presentation of multi-lead data by encoding multiple parameters (amplitude, duration, morphology) in a compact visual format that reduces display complexity while preserving analytical detail.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If more leads of ECG data are added to the analysis, then the detail of patient cardiac condition analysis is improved, but the intuitiveness of data interpretation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetail of patient cardiac condition analysisVSAvoidintuitiveness of data interpretation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs color coding to represent different morphological features and their abnormalities. Component rings use distinct colors to indicate various ECG features (P wave, QRS, ST segment, T wave) and their deviations from normal ranges. This visual encoding makes complex multi-lead data immediately intuitive, allowing clinicians to quickly identify abnormal patterns without intensive cognitive processing of numerical data across multiple leads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

By transforming traditional waveform displays into component ring diagrams, the patent creates an intuitive visual representation where morphological features are displayed as radial components. The spatial arrangement in the ring diagram allows clinicians to intuitively compare features across leads while maintaining detailed analytical capability. This dimensional transformation makes complex data interpretation more natural and less cognitively demanding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Loss of information

If traditional ECG display methods are used, then the completeness of ECG data presentation is maintained, but the efficiency of clinical diagnosis is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of ECG data presentationVSAvoidefficiency of clinical diagnosis
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges information from multiple ECG leads and morphological features into integrated component ring diagrams. Instead of displaying each lead separately, the system combines related features across leads into unified visual representations. This merging preserves all essential ECG data while presenting it in a consolidated format that accelerates clinical diagnosis by reducing the time required to synthesize information from multiple sources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary analysis by automatically extracting and organizing morphological features from raw ECG signals before presentation to the clinician. Component rings are pre-computed with key measurements (amplitude, duration, morphology) already calculated and organized. This preliminary processing eliminates the need for clinicians to manually analyze raw waveforms, significantly improving diagnostic efficiency while maintaining complete data availability for detailed review when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8229551B2Method of presenting electrocardiographic data
Publication Date: 2012.07.24 GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC
  • US8229551B2 patent drawing
  • US8229551B2 patent drawing
  • US8229551B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A system and method of presenting physiological data in a component ring. The method includes receiving a plurality of leads of physiological data. Morphology features are extracted from the plurality of leads. The morphology features are graphed by presenting a component ring associated with each of the morphology features. The system includes at least two sensors configured to collect physiological data. A processor is configured to extract amplitudes of morphology features. A graphical user interface is configured to graphically display the morphology features in a plurality of component rings.